Once again people in Clearwater will honour Murdered and Missing Indigenous women on Monday, May 5, with a group walk departing from the Wells Gray Information Centre.
North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre Society (NTACCS) vice-president Lindsay McGinness said participants will gather at 4:30 p.m. and begin the walk at 5 pm.
Walkers will cross the highway at the roundabout and head down the walking path beside the highway, then cross the highway again by the Wells Gray Pub before heading down along Dutch Lake to the stage on the field at the Dutch Lake Community Centre.
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S), also known as "Red Dress Day."
The Canadian government notes In Canada, more than six in 10 (63 per cent) Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.
The impact of these disproportionately high rates of violence is felt in all areas of life. The effects on health and wellness include inequitable access and treatment in health care and underrepresentation in health research.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing signs of distress, don’t hesitate to reach out to services available 24/7/365:
- Hope for Wellness Help Line (Indigenous centred): 1-855-242-3310
- Crisis Services Canada: (Canada-wide) 9-8-8
- National Family and Survivors Circle: 1-844-413-6649
